After missing three games to injuries, WKU's T.J. Price is near 100 percent. He says, 'I respect everyone but I fear no one.' / WKU Athletics

Written by

Michael Grant

The Courier-Journal

:

T.J. Price

(1) Kansas vs.(16) w. kentucky

South Regional9:50 p.m. Friday, TNT

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T.J. Price wore the remnants of a championship net as if it were diamond necklace.

In college basketball, this counts as bling. Price and Western Kentucky University are back in the NCAA Tournament courtesy of winning the Sun Belt title. With No. 1 seed Kansas on the menu in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, the 16th-seeded Hilltoppers (20-15) are facing a scenario similar to when they took on eventual national champion Kentucky in a hostile environment last year in Louisville.

If they pull off the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history, by beating the top-seeded Jayhawks (29-5), Price might cut down the nets again and wear it around his neck for the rest of his life.

“I respect everyone but I fear no one,” said Price, who averages a team-best 15.3 points. “I’m going to play my hardest and do what I do best. It’s just like last year when we played against Kentucky. I wasn’t afraid of those guys. I wanted to show them that I belong on the court with them. That’s what my plan is against Kansas. I belong on the court with them as well.”

Kansas has the talent, highlighted by future NBA players in freshman guard Ben McLemore and senior center Jeff Withey. Price said he has the confidence. The sophomore guard has been at his best when facing the best. Facing star-studded Kentucky with Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and four other draft picks, Price scored 21 points on the Wildcats. WKU eventually fell 81-66 at the KFC Yum! Center last year but Price hopes that experience will help Friday.

At 6 feet 4 and 208 pounds, Price can muscle his way into the paint as well as shoot with range. This year, he was second on the team in free throws (77 of 110) and tops in 3-pointers (79 of 218).

“With my body, I can get inside,” the 2013 Sun Belt tournament MVP said. “Everybody know how big Kentucky was, but I was still able to get inside and was still able to finish. That gave me confidence. If I could do it against them, I can do it against anybody.”

Price and fellow WKU sophomore George Fant were All-Sun Belt selections. While he enjoyed a good season, the guard fought through injuries. Price sprained his right ankle and his right MCL, causing him to miss three games in December.

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Price returned against the University of Louisville on Dec. 22, but was hobbled and only played eight ineffective minutes (1 for 3 for two points) in a 78-55 loss. In the next game, Price came off the bench for 36 minutes and labored en route to 12 points on 4 of 14 shooting.

An injury-ravished backcourt contributed to WKU’s struggles. Not only was Price hurt but point guard Jamal Crook missed 11 games with a broken bone in his right foot. From Dec. 16 through Jan. 26, the Hilltoppers were 3-9.

“We missed him so much,” WKU coach Ray Harper said. “Even when he was back he wasn’t right. ... I’m happy for T.J. and how he’s playing and I’m excited about his future.”

Price said he isn’t 100 percent but he is the healthiest that he has been since the injury. Over his past five games, he’s averaging 17.2 points. He made his most pivotal play of the season with a steal and layup with 19 seconds to go to give the Hilltoppers the lead for good in a 58-56 victory over South Alabama in the Sun Belt semis.

“When he crossed over, I knew he was coming right,” Price said. “I just took it.”

Price called it one of the best feelings of his young career. He hopes for another memorable March moment on Friday.

“We know what to expect,” he said. “We know how much harder we will have to play. We had a really young team last year and we didn’t know. I feel like we’re ready.”